A newly fledged bird of prey chick is soaring high over a Derbyshire stately home for the first time in more than 150 years after a successful breeding programme.

Years of patient efforts to reintroduce red kites back into the wild has now resulted in the juvenile leaving its nest inside Kedleston Hall's park.

It is good news for the majestic bird, which last bred in the county more than 150 years ago, but bad news for small animals which are among the birds’ favourite catch.

News of the breeding pair has been kept quiet until now to ensure the safety of the birds and their chick, which are protected by law from any possible disturbance.

The last pair to rear its young was back in 1863.

Carl Hawke, National Trust wildlife and countryside consultant, said: “The juvenile is a cracking bird, I am hoping it will stay for a while along with its parents for us all to enjoy for a little longer.

Working in partnership with DOS, the National Trust have closely monitored the juvenile kite which has now fledged the nest, making the most of its new home within Kedleston’s grounds. (Image: RSPB)

“I think the fact that these birds have adopted Kedleston as a home is testament to how well the Trust has been managing the wood pasture parkland habitat for the past 25 years, providing them with food and a safe place to rear young.”

Once a common sight in the skies, kites were prominent throughout the UK, but persecution drove them to near extinction.

By the 1950s there were just a handful of pairs left in remote Welsh valleys. Successful reintroduction schemes began in 1989 with a number of release sites across the UK.

In Derbyshire, single kites have been reported every year since and are slowly increasing. The kites are likely to stay within the vicinity of Kedleston but may leave the park as autumn approaches.